Member-only story
This is going to be a very sad Christmas for me. My company just completed their year-end assessment and my boss has informed me that the company has decided to let me go. She shared that it was a tough decision that she did not take lightly. She, therefore, took the extra step to speak with my supervisor and co-workers before deciding.
In short, my boss said that everyone at the office found me a good worker but, unfortunately, they all said I was cold, aloof and not a team-player. My boss went on to explain that as a start-up, she needed everyone to be onboard not only pulling their own weight but also the weight of others.
I tried to explain that I have been misunderstood me. I was not all that they said I was. I was simply an introvert and in my own way, I have been adding to the team.
I shared that my first strength is that I am a great listener. As I talk less, I observe more. I therefore easily pick-up on non-verbal cues and can detect discord in the team’s dynamics. I then quietly, in my own way, address the undercurrents to deflect potentially toxic situations.
My second strength is that I am also extremely well-prepared. As I am very uncomfortable with presentations, I work doubly hard to arm myself with all the necessary information. This over-preparedness has impressed many potential clients and has led to the closure of several big deals for the company.
Unfortunately, I don’t like nor do I seek the limelight. So much of my contributions…
